Arab nations welcome ICJ ruling on Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories

The Arab League said the decision constitutes 'a key legal pillar in boosting the Palestinian legitimacy'

Members of the diplomatic corps listen to a non-binding ruling on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on July 19, 2024. AFPShow less

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Several Arab states have welcomed the International Court of Justice’s decision that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories and its settlement policy are unlawful.

The UAE’s Foreign Ministry said the ruling “stresses its rejection of all measures aimed at changing the existing historical and legal situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, and all practices that violate international legitimacy resolutions, which threaten further escalation and tension in the region, and hinder efforts to achieve peace and stability”.

It also stressed “the need to support all regional and international efforts to advance the peace process in the Middle East, as well as to put an end to the illegal practices that threaten the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state”.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign ministry said in a statement on social media platform X that the advisory opinion “confirms the illegality of the Israeli presence in the occupied Palestinian territories over the past 57 years”.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi described it as “a clear ruling on the side of Palestinian people’s right to justice, freedom and statehood” in a post on X.

“The end of occupation is the only path to peace that will guarantee the rights and security of all.”

Along with Egypt, Jordan is one of the few Middle East countries with established diplomatic ties with Israel.

However, it has been highly critical of the Israeli army’s conduct in Gaza, accusing it of trying to remove Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.

Jordan, which borders the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is home to more than two million Palestinian refugees, according to the United Nations. Jordan also serves as the custodian of Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site, Al Aqsa compound.

The Palestinian Authority administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Its forces were driven from Gaza when Hamas seized power in 2007, and it has no influence there.

Egypt, Iraq and Kuwait on Friday expressed their support for the ruling.

“The ICJ's advisory opinion deemed the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories illegal as it violates the Palestinians' right to self-determination,” the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit welcomed the ICJ's advisory opinion which “constitutes a key legal pillar in supporting the Palestinian narrative and boosting its legitimacy and credibility,” he said.

Riyad Malki, the Palestinian Foreign Minister, commended the decision by the ICJ to label Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories and settlement policy as unlawful.

“The ICJ fulfilled its legal and moral duties with this historic ruling. All states must now uphold the clear obligations: No aid, no assistance, no complicity, no money, no arms, no trade, no nothing. No actions of any kind … to support Israel’s illegal occupation,” Mr Malki said from outside the courtroom.

He represents the Palestinian Authority at the International Court of Justice, and other UN courts, and was in the courtroom when Friday’s decision was read.

The UN's highest court handed down its view, on July 19, 2024, declaring 'illegal' Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967, amid growing international pressure over the war in Gaza. AFP

Hussein Shiekh, a senior official in the Palestine Liberation Organisation, called the court's decision “a historic victory for the rights of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination.” He said the international community must listen to what the court decided and put pressure Israel to end the occupation.

Meanwhile, Palestinian news agency Wafa has reported that dozens of Palestinians have been killed in overnight Israeli strikes across Gaza, just hours after the ICJ ruling.

Elsewhere, the US criticised “the breadth” of the top UN court's opinion, with Washington saying it will complicate efforts to resolve the conflict.

“We have been clear that Israel's programme of government support for settlements is both inconsistent with international law and obstructs the cause of peace,” a US State Department spokesperson said on Saturday in an email to Reuters.

“However, we are concerned that the breadth of the court's opinion will complicate efforts to resolve the conflict and bring about an urgently needed just and lasting peace, with two states living side-by-side in peace and security,” the State Department added.

The British government, meanwhile, said it would carefully consider before responding to the ICJ opinion.

“The UK respects the independence of the ICJ,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. “The Foreign Secretary was clear on his visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories earlier this week that the UK is strongly opposed to the expansion of illegal settlements and rising settler violence.”

David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, also said the Palestinian Authority needs to be “reformed and empowered.”

Mr Lammy also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

“This government is committed to a negotiated two-state solution which can deliver a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state,” the statement said.

– Agencies contributed to this report.